Family Seeks Justice for Murdered Son of Lehman Brightman, Lakota Gall Brightman

MARTINEZ, CALIFORNIA — The family of Lakotah Gall Brightman is asking a district judge in Martinez, California to sentence his murderer, Mark Nelson, 51, to life in prison. Lakotah Gall Brightman was the son of Lehman and Trudy Brightman.

Lehman Brightman (Sioux), a retired college professor, is a well-known figure in American Indian history during the the past 50 years. He was an American Indian Movement leader. He served as an American Indian leader at Alcatraz Island and the Longest Walk in 1978.

He was murdered outside a food market in Richmond, California on July 3, 2015. He was stabbed by Nelson and went inside the market to seek assistance. He collasped on the floor of the food market and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Nelson was found guilty of first-degree murder in May 2016 and will be sentenced on Friday, July 29, 2016.

Lakota Gall Brightman served six years in the California Army National Guard, 235th Engineer Company (Sapper) as an Army Field Medic from August 11, 2007 to his date of separation on August 10th, 2013. He was ordered into active service in 2007 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan.

“(Veterans) come back, and some don’t have any money to have an apartment or food,” his brother, Quanah Brightman told a local California newspaper earlier this week. “You figure the people who make the biggest sacrifice for our country would be treated better, would be treated at least as human beings.”

About The Author

Levi Rickert, a tribal citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, is the publisher and editor of Native News Online. Previously, he served as editor of the Native News Network. He is a resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

3 Comments

Richard Smith3 years ago

yes. life in prison. plenty of time to reflect on the senseless act he committed.

Toshina Baldwin3 years ago

Many prayers n blessings to the Brightman family. For the justice system to do right for a fallen soldier.

Maria3 years ago

55 to life. Honored to see this process through and justice for our brother LAKOTA GALL BRIGHTMAN.

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